Like a hit TV show, the world''s leading producer of
franchise expos is expanding into new cities. Beginning in
2007, MFV Miami joins MFV D.C. and MFV Los Angeles, providing
coast-to-coast (and beyond) exposure for companies looking to
expand their franchise base. The 2007 season starts with the
premier of the Franchise Expo South in Miami Jan. 19 - 21;
returning for another hit season will be the International
Franchise Expo in Washington, D.C. March 30 - April 1; and the
season comes to an always dramatic close in LA, appropriately
enough, with the annual West Coast Franchise Expo from Nov. 3 - 5.
It promises to be a landmark year for MFV
Expositions. And as could be expected, many of
franchising's hottest stars - young and old - are jumping at the
opportunity to showcase themselves from coast to coast in 2007.
High-investment franchisors such as the Goddard School, an early
childhood development center, and Wellington Pet Care, a new
24-hour pet care service, will exhibit at all three of MFV's 2007
events. "These events are great for branding and marketing
efforts," said Jeff Travitz, franchise director for both the
Goddard School and Wellington Pet Care. "We do hope to raise sales,
but that is not our only intention. Goddard Systems is already a
well established and respected franchise opportunity. By creating
Wellington Pet Care we are branching out into an area where there
is no clear, established franchise opportunity available for pet
care." Travitz added that he's been impressed with MFV's events
compared to other franchise tradeshows, and that influenced his
decision to stick with MFV. "MFV's events are the only US franchise
tradeshows that we attend," he said. "MFV brings quality prospects.
We were really turned off by other events we have previously
attended." Serving an American favorite - fried chicken - Chester's
International is on the franchising fast track and hopes to secure
500 franchisees by 2010. As a result they have made all three MFV
expos an integral part of their strategy for reaching that goal.
"MFV attracts the largest audience of individuals interested in
franchise opportunities," said Richard Davis, director of
information systems for Chester's International. "Chester's is
always looking for qualified entrepreneurs who want to run their
own successful business with a background in food service and the
ability to open at least three Chester's restaurants. We will
exhibit at all three MFV franchise expos because the expos allow us
to showcase Chester's from coast to coast to a broad domestic
audience and international visitors." No brand is too big to star
at an MFV event. Jani-King, the world's largest franchise
commercial cleaning company, continues to look ahead to the
continued growth and development of the brand. As part of their
search for the next great franchisee, Jani-King has signed on to
participate in the FES, the IFE and the WCFE. For Gary Dick, vice
president of Jani-King Franchising, Inc, the expos are an integral
part of marketing the company to prospective franchisees. "MFV's
events are the premier franchising events," said Dick. "I would
tell any franchisor who is based in North America, that this is the
event you want to attend. For Jani-King, [these events are] an
important part of gaining market exposure and a competitive edge in
a competitive industry." Siegel Capital, a company that provides
lending assistance to small and mid-sized businesses and to
individuals acquiring small and mid-sized businesses, is also
signed up for the entire season. "It is part of our strategy of
being the most visible and helpful financing source in the
franchise industry," said Bernie Siegel, president of Siegel
Capital, who also presents the popular seminar on 'How to Finance
Your Franchise.' Siegel's seminar has become so hot that it will be
presented twice per expo starting with Miami. Since each show is as
unique as the region in which it is held, exhibitors will be
exposed to an array of well-qualified prospects with a wide range
of tastes, but are all similar in that they are all serious about
finding the best franchise opportunity and are ready to buy.
A Southern Debut
By kicking off the year in Miami, exhibitors will have direct access to a richly diverse culture with a Latin American flavor. The dramatic, ongoing growth of this region makes it a prime location to target prospects from the southeastern United States, Latin America and the Caribbean. The tropical atmosphere, warm weather will also offer a refreshing escape from the winter chill and the perfect setting for hot business opportunities. Even though this is the inaugural year for the Franchise Expo South, already it is on track to be the region's leading event for franchisors. In fact, the FES is a direct response to repeated requests from franchisors asking for an event that would help them achieve their sales goals in the region. It's still not too late to get involved. A limited amount of booth space is still available. Warm Weather, Hot Seminars
FES may be the new kid on the block, but experienced expo exhibitors will likely bring the entire sales team in order to staff their booths in shifts, so that they can also participate in the exceptional learning opportunities available. As has become a tradition at MFV expos, a number of free seminars address a range of topics, while the symposia, ranging from $200 to $270 for advance registration, will delve into specific subjects that are important to running a successful franchise. Due to the popularity of the programs, advance registration is recommended and includes admission to the exhibit hall. For franchisors in the early stages of development or small businesses considering expansion through a franchised brand, "Franchising Your Business" is a two-day symposium that describes the appropriate steps for establishing a franchise and the risks to consider before starting the process. The symposium also discusses financial concerns, strategy and tactics of franchising. "The Operations Manual: The Foundation To Consistent Operation" will teach the proper documentation of a business' processes and procedures that are necessary to ensure brand-wide consistency. This three-hour symposium also reviews ways to effectively communicate your procedures in a way that will accurately capture and convey the franchise's details for operation. "The Use of Technology in Franchising" is a three-hour symposium that looks at technology issues as they relate to franchising. Topics include ways to harness the potential of the latest technological advancements to promote communication and efficiency with a franchise system. Legal pitfalls and protection are also covered. The free seminars offer a wide scope of information, including some topics that are specific to the region, such as "How to Evaluate a U.S. Franchise from a Latin American Perspective" and "Legal Requirements for Franchising in Latin America." From Capital Ideas to West Coast Fever
If it's a capital idea you're looking for in the year ahead, don't leave out the nation's capitol. Prospects from more than 80 countries and across the U.S. will travel to Washington D.C. March 30 - April 1 to investigate the top franchise opportunities at the IFE. Sponsored by the International Franchise Association and the US Department of Commerce, the IFE is the world's leading franchising event. Nearly 15,000 visitors attended last year's event, and approximately 3,000 were international delegates. For franchises considering international expansion as well as those whose growth will focus only within the US, the IFE delivers serious prospects who are ready to buy. According to show surveys, 51 percent of attendees to the IFE had $100,000 or more to invest in a franchise while six percent had more than $1 million ready to invest in a new business. Now in its 16th year, the 2007 IFE is on track to be even bigger. For franchise concepts ready to broaden their presence on the West Coast, the WCFE, November 3 - 5 in Los Angeles, offers the greatest exposure. Targeting the 13 states in the West Coast region, the WCFE reaches thousands of entrepreneurs with franchising aspirations and in just two years, the West Coast Franchise Expo has grown to be the top franchise event catering specifically to the flourishing West Coast. Getting Noticed
Whether your franchise company plans to exhibit at all three shows or just one highly-targeted event, however, one key factor will play a significant role to your exposure at the event - your booth. In a crowded exhibit hall, the booth is what attendees notice first, and the larger the better. Compared to a 100-foot booth, a larger, professional-looking 200-foot booth space will generate 280 percent more leads, a 300-foot booth will increase your response by 360 percent, and a 400-foot booth will garner a whopping 820 percent greater response. Attendees are also more likely to remember your booth if it is large and visually appealing. Travitz has found that a larger investment in the booth has paid off for his franchise concepts "These events are so important to us that we spend a good deal of money on our booth because we find that MFV Expos bring good, quality prospects," said Travitz. But larger is only better if you have an adequate number of staff members to manage the attendees that will be drawn to your space. Also, Travitz recommends choosing your spot on the floorplan carefully. Positioning in the exhibit hall can also affect your results. Corners and double end caps provide access to more aisles than if your booth is in the middle of a long row of companies. Regardless of your franchise's plans for expansion, the type of franchisee you seek, or your stage in establishing your brand, if you want to make your mark in the franchise industry, this year's hit series - the Franchise Expo South, the International Franchise Expo, and West Coast Franchise Expo should be part your marketing plan for 2007. Note: This article originally appeared in the October 23, 2006 issue of the IFA SmartBrief.
By kicking off the year in Miami, exhibitors will have direct access to a richly diverse culture with a Latin American flavor. The dramatic, ongoing growth of this region makes it a prime location to target prospects from the southeastern United States, Latin America and the Caribbean. The tropical atmosphere, warm weather will also offer a refreshing escape from the winter chill and the perfect setting for hot business opportunities. Even though this is the inaugural year for the Franchise Expo South, already it is on track to be the region's leading event for franchisors. In fact, the FES is a direct response to repeated requests from franchisors asking for an event that would help them achieve their sales goals in the region. It's still not too late to get involved. A limited amount of booth space is still available. Warm Weather, Hot Seminars
FES may be the new kid on the block, but experienced expo exhibitors will likely bring the entire sales team in order to staff their booths in shifts, so that they can also participate in the exceptional learning opportunities available. As has become a tradition at MFV expos, a number of free seminars address a range of topics, while the symposia, ranging from $200 to $270 for advance registration, will delve into specific subjects that are important to running a successful franchise. Due to the popularity of the programs, advance registration is recommended and includes admission to the exhibit hall. For franchisors in the early stages of development or small businesses considering expansion through a franchised brand, "Franchising Your Business" is a two-day symposium that describes the appropriate steps for establishing a franchise and the risks to consider before starting the process. The symposium also discusses financial concerns, strategy and tactics of franchising. "The Operations Manual: The Foundation To Consistent Operation" will teach the proper documentation of a business' processes and procedures that are necessary to ensure brand-wide consistency. This three-hour symposium also reviews ways to effectively communicate your procedures in a way that will accurately capture and convey the franchise's details for operation. "The Use of Technology in Franchising" is a three-hour symposium that looks at technology issues as they relate to franchising. Topics include ways to harness the potential of the latest technological advancements to promote communication and efficiency with a franchise system. Legal pitfalls and protection are also covered. The free seminars offer a wide scope of information, including some topics that are specific to the region, such as "How to Evaluate a U.S. Franchise from a Latin American Perspective" and "Legal Requirements for Franchising in Latin America." From Capital Ideas to West Coast Fever
If it's a capital idea you're looking for in the year ahead, don't leave out the nation's capitol. Prospects from more than 80 countries and across the U.S. will travel to Washington D.C. March 30 - April 1 to investigate the top franchise opportunities at the IFE. Sponsored by the International Franchise Association and the US Department of Commerce, the IFE is the world's leading franchising event. Nearly 15,000 visitors attended last year's event, and approximately 3,000 were international delegates. For franchises considering international expansion as well as those whose growth will focus only within the US, the IFE delivers serious prospects who are ready to buy. According to show surveys, 51 percent of attendees to the IFE had $100,000 or more to invest in a franchise while six percent had more than $1 million ready to invest in a new business. Now in its 16th year, the 2007 IFE is on track to be even bigger. For franchise concepts ready to broaden their presence on the West Coast, the WCFE, November 3 - 5 in Los Angeles, offers the greatest exposure. Targeting the 13 states in the West Coast region, the WCFE reaches thousands of entrepreneurs with franchising aspirations and in just two years, the West Coast Franchise Expo has grown to be the top franchise event catering specifically to the flourishing West Coast. Getting Noticed
Whether your franchise company plans to exhibit at all three shows or just one highly-targeted event, however, one key factor will play a significant role to your exposure at the event - your booth. In a crowded exhibit hall, the booth is what attendees notice first, and the larger the better. Compared to a 100-foot booth, a larger, professional-looking 200-foot booth space will generate 280 percent more leads, a 300-foot booth will increase your response by 360 percent, and a 400-foot booth will garner a whopping 820 percent greater response. Attendees are also more likely to remember your booth if it is large and visually appealing. Travitz has found that a larger investment in the booth has paid off for his franchise concepts "These events are so important to us that we spend a good deal of money on our booth because we find that MFV Expos bring good, quality prospects," said Travitz. But larger is only better if you have an adequate number of staff members to manage the attendees that will be drawn to your space. Also, Travitz recommends choosing your spot on the floorplan carefully. Positioning in the exhibit hall can also affect your results. Corners and double end caps provide access to more aisles than if your booth is in the middle of a long row of companies. Regardless of your franchise's plans for expansion, the type of franchisee you seek, or your stage in establishing your brand, if you want to make your mark in the franchise industry, this year's hit series - the Franchise Expo South, the International Franchise Expo, and West Coast Franchise Expo should be part your marketing plan for 2007. Note: This article originally appeared in the October 23, 2006 issue of the IFA SmartBrief.
